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"Dancing with the Stars" Val Chmerkovskiy is reportedly being sued by a girl with Down Syndrome who was used in an internet meme.
The pro posted a photo on Facebook, which he was since deleted, of an overweight girl with a soda.
"Letting your kid become obese should be considered child abuse," the words laid over meme shared to his hundreds of thousands of followers said, according to The New York Daily News.
The sexy pro later deleted the post, stating, "I am truly sorry for the lack of sensitivity ... but on some level, I have to agree," going on to explain how he thought some parents were "handicapping" their kids.
According to The Daily News report, the young girl in the photo and her family were not happy with Chmerkovskiy using her photo and are now suing not only the "DWTS" pro but CBS for $6M.
The network reportedly posted it as well.
The girl, according to The Daily News, the girl was 10-years-old when the photo was taken, now she is 16.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw it; makes me wonder what kind of people are out there. It makes me sick," her mother stated as published by The Daily News.
Chmerkovskiy took to his Facebook again and posted another meme saying, "Worry about your character, not your reputation. Your character is who you are. Your reputation is who people think you are."
Some fans of the pro dancer posted comments of support.
Mariela Herrera posted, "Valentin Chmerkovskiy I am a fan-not only because you're hot and extremely talented, but because you seem like a genuinely sweet man. I don't doubt your great character. So, smile because they're many people that feel the same way."
In contrast, Facebook user Jessica Decker Lauer remarked, "Think about what you put out there. You do not know the circumstances of every child out there and their home life. You obviously did not know the story of the little girl whose photo you used in your post!" she remarked.
"Do not think for a second I am downplaying the seriousness of being obese. As parents, we get it! But the words you used are inaccurate and wrong! You're not the first person to say such a thing or will you probably be the last but please think before you speak!" she concluded.
"Dancing with the Stars" season 22 will air in March on ABC.
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Source: http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/79648/20160131/dwts-val-chmerkovskiy-sued-by-family-of-girl-depicted-as-obese-in-facebook-meme.htm
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